Sometimes I feel confused about my role in life.  I am a mother, teacher, partner, farmer, cleaner, organiser, friend, disciplinarian and lover of pigs.  In any one day it is easy to feel pulled in many directions.  Particularly when it comes to deciding what is right for the boys.  Which curriculum choice is the best?  Should we focus on reading skills or just snuggle with a story?  Am I failing them when I don’t live up to what is in my mind’s eye?  Is it possible to ever get it right?

I was thinking about some of these things in the car the other night as I returned home after my yoga class, when I hear a song on the radio.  Trust Alanis Morissette to come up with such a stirring yet moving song.  Her words seemed to capture exactly the fierce protectiveness I feel towards my boys, the strength I feel when it comes to putting myself between them and harms way, the sacred task handed to every mother as she tries to guide her child through the world of material, spiritual, intellectual and emotional choices and experiences.

I may not get it right all the time but I do know that when it comes to love, I am unfailing.  If they are threatened I will protect them, my role is simply to keep them safe shelter them as they get on with the important business of growing up and finding out who they are.

So enjoy a bit of kick botty songstress, mother and all round poet Alanis, as you go about your day.  She speaks for all us parents I think, she certainly speaks for me.

I’ll be your keeper for life as your guardian

I’ll be your warrior of care your first warden

I’ll be your angel on call, I’ll be on demand

The greatest honor of all, as your guardian.

Alanis Morissette Guardian